Building a Better Rochester seeks partnership with Cuomo

By - 1/3/2013 2:54:56 PM

Building a Better Rochester, a coalition of local contractors and labor leaders, is hopeful the region will capitalize on the momentum sparked by the recent $96.2 million award from the Regional Economic Development Council.

The group also hopes to work with Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2013 to improve statewide funding inequities, coalition officials said.

Recognized as the best plan in mid-December, the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council will get $96.2 million—the highest total awarded to any of the 10 economic development councils.

“The 2012 year ended on a high note with the Regional Economic Development Council award,” said Aaron Hilger, president of the Builders Exchange of Rochester and founding member of Building a Better Rochester. “The award is an acknowledgement of the economic potential of our region.”

Building a Better Rochester has urged Cuomo to form a commission to investigate and correct state funding disparities in Upstate New York.

Hilger said the coalition has offered its expertise and full support to Cuomo, calling for a commission that establishes a need-based funding parity formula that benefits upstate regions.

For decades, Hilger said, the Rochester/Finger Lakes region outperformed other state regions, and received less economic development funding as a result.